Radiator of highly flexible use

ABSTRACT

The radiator of highly flexible use comprising a radiant element provided with supports for its connection to a wall. The supports comprise at least one hinge to support the radiant element and to enable it to be rotated between a working position and a maintenance position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a radiator of highly flexible use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buildings are usually heated by radiators which typically comprise radiant elements provided with one or more heating conduits.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

The conduits receive hot water from the heating plant of a building; the hot water circulates through the conduits to heat the radiant elements, which then heat the environment in which they are installed.

However, radiators are known structures which because of their complexity and the presence of roughness, represent a dust accumulation point.

It is known to be extremely difficult to clean radiators (in particular their rear) and those wall regions behind the radiators, and is in some cases impossible (particularly for very large radiators).

A further drawback is caused by the difficulties encountered by the usual installation, checking and maintenance operations, as these have to be carried out with the radiators mounted, usually in very small and difficulty accessible spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a radiator of highly flexible use by which the stated drawbacks of the known art are eliminated.

Within the scope of this technical aim, an object of the invention is to provide a radiator which can be cleaned easily and thoroughly, including its rear region, in the case of both small-dimension and large-dimension radiators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a radiator which also enables the wall behind the radiator to be cleaned easily and thoroughly, in the case of both small-dimension and large-dimension radiators.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator by which the installation, checking and maintenance operations are simplified and accelerated.

The technical aim, together with these and further objects, are attained according to the present invention by a radiator of highly flexible use in accordance with claim 1.

Other characteristics of the present invention are defined in the subsequent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the radiator according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiator according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of a hinge of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two different embodiments of locking elements of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment of the radiator of the invention;

FIGS. 6, 7 are two different examples of the connection of fins to the constituent plate of the radiant element of a plate radiator, shown at the tube;

FIG. 8 is an example of the connection of fins to the constituent plate of the radiant element of a plate radiator, shown in a plate region where the tube is not present; and

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the radiator of the invention.

DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, these show a radiator of highly flexible use indicated overall by the reference number 1.

The radiator 1 comprises one or more radiant elements 2 (if these are more than one in number, they are all connected together to define a single body, in which case they will be considered hereinafter as a single radiant element, see FIG. 9) provided with supports for connection to a wall 3.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a plate radiator provided with one radiant element, while FIG. 9 shows a different radiator example presenting a plurality of elements connected together to define one radiant element; for brevity, reference will be made hereinafter to plate radiators, however the same considerations are valid for radiators of the type shown in FIG. 9.

The supports comprise hinges 5 arranged to support the radiant element 2 and to enable it to rotate between a working position (in which the radiant element 2 is in a position parallel to a wall 3) and a maintenance position (in which the radiant element has one end spaced from the wall 3).

The supports also comprise an element 7 for locking the radiant element 2 in its working position.

As shown in the figures, the hinge 5 and the locking element 7 are fixed to opposing side regions of the radiant element 2; typically the hinges 5 are connected in proximity to a side edge of the radiant element 2, while the locking element 7 is fixed to the opposite edge.

The number of hinges 5, the number of locking elements 7 and their position on the radiant element 2 can be different in relation to the radiator characteristics.

The hinge 5 presents a first portion 11 fixed (by welding or mechanically) to the radiant element 2, and a second portion 13 fixable to the wall 3 by suitable screws 14 provided with fixing plugs (not shown).

The first and second portion 11, 13 are joined together rotatably by a removable pin 15 (consisting for example of a bolt threaded either only at its end, or throughout its length).

Preferably (as shown in the figures) the radiator 1 of the invention presents two hinges 5 positioned at one end of the radiator 1 and having their pins 15 aligned along a vertical axis 16.

The locking element 7 presents a hook 18 projecting from the radiant element 2 and a seat 19 for receiving the hook 18.

The seat 19 can be fixed to the wall 3 by screws 20 and fixing plugs, and carries a lock 21 for the hook 18.

In a first embodiment, the lock 21 comprises a threaded element or socket head screw screwable into a threaded hole of the seat 19 such as to cause interference and lock the hook 19.

In a second embodiment, the lock 21 comprises a magnet mounted on the base of the seat 19 to retain the hook 18.

The radiator 1 advantageously presents conduits 25 for feeding and discharging thermovector fluid (water of the heating plant), these consisting of flexible hoses.

The flexible hoses 25 have that end 26 connected to the radiator 1 and/or that end 27 connectable to the residential heating plant articulated or rotatable preferably through 360°.

This enables the ends of the flexible hoses to rotate and enables the flexible hoses themselves to move when the radiator is brought from the working position to the maintenance position and vice versa (in practice by opening or closing the radiator in the manner of a book).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the radiator is of the radiant plate type and comprises a plate forming the radiant element 2 and provided with at least one groove, into the interior of which a tube 28 is inserted containing a thermovector fluid.

The tube 28 is provided with a bleed valve 28 a and a manifold 28 b to which the flexible hoses 25 are connected.

Advantageously this radiator 1 presents a plurality of heat transfer fins 29 fixed to that side of the plate 2 in which the grooves are formed to contain the tube 28.

In a first embodiment (FIG. 6), the tube 28 is pressed by rollers such that that surface 28 c facing the outside of the grooves is aligned with the plate surface 2 a.

In this case the fins 29 are fixed (usually by welding) both to the plate 2 and to the tube 28.

Alternatively (FIG. 7), the tube 28 is made to project partially from the groove; in this case the fins 29 present a plurality of recesses 30.

The fins 29 are fixed to the plate 2, the tube 28 being inserted into the recesses 30 in those regions in which the fins are superposed on the tube; this region is preferably fixed by welding.

Finally (FIG. 8) the base 33 of the fins 29 can be inserted into rounded longitudinal grooved seats, to increase the contact surface between the plate 2 and the base 33 of the fins 29.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a radiator in which the radiant element is composed of a plurality of components joined together, it being provided with hinges 5 and the locking element 7 (only the pin 18 is shown while the seat 19, although present, is not represented).

The operation of the radiator of highly flexible use according to the invention is apparent from that described and illustrated, and is substantially as follows.

When the radiator is to be installed, the second portions 13 of the hinges 5 are fixed to the wall 3 (by screws and fixing plugs); the first portions 11 of the hinges are then fixed to the radiators by welding.

The seat 19 is fixed to the wall (also by a screw and fixing plug) and the hook 18 is fixed to the radiator (by welding).

The first and second portion 11, 13 of the hinge 5 can then be associated with each other and the pins 15 inserted.

The flexible hoses 25 for water feed and discharge can then be applied from the residential heating plant.

When the radiator 1 has been installed, the maintenance and cleaning operations, particularly on the radiator rear and on the wall behind the radiator (these thus being hidden and inaccessible) are very simple and quick as the socket head screw 21 has merely to be unscrewed or force be applied to overcome the force of the magnet 21, to be able to open the radiator in the manner of a book in order to move it from its working to its maintenance position.

The radiator can be returned to its working position in the same manner.

During rotation the hoses 25 are not an obstacle as they are flexible with articulated ends, consequently they can be rotated to accompany the rotation of the radiator.

In another embodiment, the hinges are in the form of valves feeding/discharging water to/from the radiator.

In other embodiments, the hinges can be all applied along the upper or lower edge of the radiator, to enable the radiator to be rotated about a horizontal axis.

It has been found in practice that the radiator of highly flexible use according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it renders the installation, cleaning and maintenance operations simple and quick.

The radiator of highly flexible use conceived in this manner is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials used and the dimensions can be chosen at will according to requirements and to the state of the art. 

1. A radiator of highly flexible use comprising a radiant element provided with supports for its connection to a wall, wherein said supports comprise at least one hinge to support said radiant element and to enable it to be rotated between a working position and a maintenance position.
 2. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supports also comprise at least one element for locking said radiant element in its working position.
 3. A radiator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hinge and said locking element are fixed to opposing side regions of said radiant element.
 4. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge presents a first portion fixed to said radiant element and a second portion fixable to the wall, said first and second portion being rotatably connected together by a removable pin.
 5. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, further presenting two hinges positioned at one end of said radiator and having said pins aligned.
 6. A radiator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking element presents a hook projecting from said radiant element and, fixable to the wall, a seat to receive said hook, said seat carrying a lock for said hook.
 7. A radiator as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lock comprises a threaded element or socket head screw.
 8. A radiator as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lock comprises a magnet mounted on the base of said seat.
 9. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, further presenting thermovector fluid feed and discharge conduits in the form of flexible hoses.
 10. A radiator as claimed in claim 9, wherein said flexible hoses have that end connected to the radiator and/or that end connectable to a residential heating plant articulated or rotatable.
 11. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, further being of plate type and comprising, as the radiant element, a plate provided with at least one groove into which a conduit containing a thermovector fluid is inserted.
 12. A radiator as claimed in claim 11, further presenting a plurality of heat transfer fins fixed to that side of said plate on which said grooves are provided.
 13. A radiator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said fins are fixed both to said plate and to said tube.
 14. A radiator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said fins present a plurality of recesses, said fins being fixed to said plate, the tube being inserted into said recesses in those regions in which the fins are superposed on the tube.
 15. A radiator as claimed in claim 13, wherein said fins present a plurality of recesses, said fins being fixed to said plate, the tube being inserted into said recesses in those regions in which the fins are superposed on the tube.
 16. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinges consist of valves feeding/discharging water to/from the radiator.
 17. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinges enable said radiator to be rotated about a horizontal or vertical axis. 